The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 16: Dinner Chat .||

"I'm coming!" Ansel shouted on top of her lungs, putting on her oversized hoodie with shorts and ruffled her wet black hair. "Coming! One more second." She yelled, hopping down the stairs. 

Annika settled the plates down while Angelo headed over to the door to help Jiang carried the massive luggage. It had been a merry night for the house since Jiang's elder brother had announced his arrival. They bought delicacies and brew tea to match up the cold airy night. Jiang seemed to mumble in his mother tongue towards his elder brother as they both somewhat seemed to be bickering about something. It wasn't anything serious when Angelo noticed the stranger ruffled Jiang's hair as the younger growled. He enjoyed watching the hospitality of humans. They had been marvellous.

"You seemed like a family man already, Jiang. I could barely picture you living with other housemates. Guess I have been a little too judgmental towards you," announced Jun Ho the minute he stepped into the house, pushing his last luggage towards the door. He smiled seeing Angelo and stuck out his hand as respect. "Hello there, I believe we haven't met. I am Jun Ho."

Angelo shook the palms, nodding. "Nice to meet you Jun Ho. I'm Angelo. I am new here. To be fair, Jiang had been taking real good care of this household."

"You are both flattery. Cut the drama, two of you," scoffed Jiang ushering his brother and Angelo both into the kitchen. "I guess you both are from the same faction. It is never wrong when they say birds of the same feathers flock together. Now, put away your coat and let's eat." Jiang ordered before turning to Annika. "Where's Ansel?"

"There," pointed Annika as she watched Ansel, picking up a book from their shelf by the stairs. "Ansel, come on. We are waiting."

The minute Ansel stepped out of the place, she was enveloped by the strong scent of cologne on her cheeks. It had been too thick to her liking, but even that she could scent the smell of jasmines in between. Knowing it would be Jun Ho, she returned the hug tightly. The last time they met was almost five years back. They had each been busy, chasing afterlife and dreams. When they finally untangled from the hug, everyone gathered at the table as Jun Ho scanned the platter in front of him. He breathed in the scent and patted Jiang on his back multiple times.

"You really got what I wanted. I was not expecting that," announced Jun Ho as he stared at his younger sibling who settled himself next to Ansel. "You knew I was joking right?"

Annika snickered. "Not quite. He was basically ranting about how troublesome you are earlier but ceased when the shop was opened. I guess even they were on your side."

"Do you have to rat me out like that, Annika?" Jiang scoffed. "Anyways, it is the duty of the younger brother to fulfil their elder brother's needs when they can't do it themselves right?"

Angelo let a soft chuckle as he picked up the chai kueh in front of him. The scent of fresh turnips with carrots lingered in his nose. Its texture was soft enough, reminding him of the soft clouds he used to reside in. It felt like home. The skin of the delicacy was chewy while the crunchy taste of the filling completed it. He couldn't resist, but let a satisfying hum escaped his lips. Where had the food been when he needed it. He turned to his side, watching Ansel exchanged glances with Jun Ho as she listened attentively to his words. Apparently, the elder would be moving here anytime soon since he was posted here as a lecturer.

For that moment, Angelo couldn't help but paid his attention towards the food laid in front of him. With a sip of the oolong tea, he felt his pain healed immediately. It might be him overreacting to the food, but he craved for more of it. He did not know which one to start with. Everything in front of him was tempting him, in a good way. His stomach was growling angrily at him for not filling it up. While his mind was making up a decision for which platter to move on with, the banana leaves wrapped delicacy was placed on his plate gently.